Prosecutors say the teen faces first-degree felony murder and attempted robbery after a Nov. 16 encounter.
COCOA, Fla. — A Brevard County grand jury has indicted a 13-year-old boy on charges of first-degree felony murder and attempted robbery in the Nov. 16 shooting death of a 30-year-old man, moving the case to adult court, prosecutors said Wednesday.
The indictment marks a sharp escalation from an initial manslaughter arrest and places one of Central Florida’s youngest defendants before a judge in adult criminal court. Officials said the shooting followed a planned meeting at a vacant house and stemmed from a robbery attempt that turned deadly. The 18th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office is now leading the prosecution as police refine the timeline, review phone records, and document the events that led to the single fatal shot.
Investigators said the teen, identified as Emeril Tytron Lemeul Rachel, arranged to meet 30-year-old Kelby Gavin Miller at a vacant property on Bristol Drive. The meeting, set up through a social media app, unfolded late on a Saturday. Shortly after Miller arrived, an attempted robbery took place, according to detectives. Miller was shot once in the torso with a .45-caliber handgun and later died. The boy was arrested days later and first booked on a manslaughter count. After witnesses were interviewed and digital evidence was reviewed, prosecutors convened a grand jury, which returned the felony murder and attempted robbery counts. “The evidence supports a more serious charge,” an assistant state attorney said in announcing the indictment.
Police reports recount a brief encounter in a residential area near Port St. John, with neighbors telling officers they heard a single gunshot and saw cars leaving quickly. Detectives recovered shell casings and traced communications that preceded the meeting, including messages exchanged on a dating-style platform, according to case documents. Authorities have not identified any other suspects and have not released the name of the app used, citing the ongoing investigation. Officials said the teen had access to the handgun used in the shooting; however, the source of the weapon remains under review. No further injuries were reported at the scene, and no additional arrests have been announced.
Public records show the 18th Judicial Circuit, which includes Brevard County, has pursued adult charges in select cases involving serious felonies. Prosecutors said the grand jury’s action reflects the evidence and the nature of the crime, not the defendant’s age. The Cocoa Police Department previously described the case as a “botched robbery,” and the State Attorney’s Office said the initial manslaughter count “was not enough” based on what jurors heard. The indictment does not allege premeditation apart from the felony murder theory tied to the attempted robbery, and officials noted that additional counts could be considered if new evidence emerges.
With the indictment returned, the case moves to circuit court for an arraignment, where the teen will enter a plea. A judge will next address counsel appointments, pretrial detention, and discovery deadlines. Prosecutors are preparing witness lists and expect to seek a full gathering of digital records, including location data and communications surrounding the scheduled meeting. Court dates had not been set as of Thursday. If convicted of first-degree felony murder, the teen faces adult sentencing ranges governed by Florida law. The court could also order psychological evaluations and pretrial services typical in cases involving very young defendants.
On Bristol Drive, residents described a quiet block now marked by police tape, flashing lights, and questions. A neighbor said, “We heard one loud pop and then nothing,” adding that officers canvassed the area well into the night. Family members of the victim gathered nearby, leaving flowers beside a utility pole at the corner. Another resident said they were surprised by the age listed in the arrest affidavit. “Thirteen is hard to process,” the neighbor said. Police asked anyone with doorbell video from the evening to contact investigators.
As of Thursday afternoon, the teen remained in custody while the State Attorney’s Office awaited the scheduling of an adult-court arraignment next week. Prosecutors said they will release additional filings when the clerk sets the calendar.
Author note: Last updated December 12, 2025.